FORWARD TWP — A 49-year-old woman was badly burned Saturday evening in a fast-moving house fire.

The woman's husband is credited with helping rescue her from their burning house on Eckstein Road, authorities said.

Joelle Daugherty remains at West Penn Hospital's burn center in Pittsburgh. She suffered burns on 16 percent of her body, according to family members.

“She was burned on both arms, the upper back, on one leg and her hands,” said Daugherty's mother, who did not give her name.

The state police fire marshal is investigating the blaze that started about 7 p.m. but a cause will likely never be known due to the extent of damage.

The fire, which was not believed to be suspicious, destroyed the house between Riebold and Rader School roads.

James Daugherty, 46, was working in the detached garage at his home when he initially smelled smoke. He apparently dismissed that as a Labor Day holiday camp fire.

A short time later, he spotted the fire.

“He saw smoke pouring out the eaves in the windows that were open,” said Chris Hoffman, a lieutenant with the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department.

Daugherty rushed to the house to reach his wife but he was unable to get through the door.

“He got a ladder to the window and dragged her out,” Hoffman said. Daugherty had to break out the window frame to get inside.

A Butler Ambulance Service crew treated Joelle Daugherty before she was taken to a field where a medical helicopter landed before flying her to the Pittsburgh hospital.

Investigators estimated damage to the house and contents at $125,000.